Brian Shepard

Brian Shepard serves as a Contracting Officer for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s FA8750 RIK office, where he manages complex research and development acquisitions critical to advancing next-generation aerospace and defense technologies. His portfolio centers on foundational scientific innovation in physical, engineering, and life sciences, with a focus on autonomous systems, resilient communications, AI-driven battle-space awareness, and quantum-enabled capabilities. He oversees the full lifecycle of contract actions—from solicitation and evaluation to award and administration—ensuring alignment with DoD acquisition regulations and national security priorities. His work directly supports the laboratory’s mission to translate cutting-edge science into operational advantage for the Department of the Air Force. Brian maintains strategic relationships with leading defense and science contractors, including Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Eaton Corporation, Technergetics, LLC, and Caelight, Inc. These partnerships are characterized by long-term collaboration on high-complexity R&D projects requiring specialized technical expertise in optical systems, analytical instrumentation, and advanced sensor development. He consistently engages prime contractors capable of integrating multidisciplinary teams and delivering prototype systems under tight technical and schedule constraints, often leveraging Other Transaction Authorities and prototype agreements to accelerate innovation. Brian’s contracting approach reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of his awards issued under no set-aside categories. He prioritizes technical merit and mission alignment over socioeconomic preferences, ensuring that the most capable performers—regardless of business size—are selected to meet urgent national security needs. While small business participation is not formally set aside, he actively evaluates small business capabilities as subcontractors within larger teaming arrangements. His primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541712 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), with significant activity in NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing). He procures advanced instrumentation, prototype hardware, computational modeling tools, and experimental systems that enable breakthroughs in free-space optical communications, quantum sensing, and autonomous system integration.